Enlightened thinkers today


STEVE JOBS:

Although in the public mind he was Apple, Inc. Steve Jobs was only the ringleader. In his own mind, his world was much larger than one company. Why was he an enlightened thinker? Well, Steve Jobs thought out of the box and produced computers that accepted individuality to style, such as customizing your desktop, having different fonts and color schemes, and facilitated software manipulation.Like enlightened thinkers, he accepted ideas from diff. disciplines in his development of an operating system. for example, after taking a class in caligraphy, steve jobs included various fonts and user-friendly approach to fronts in his OS (operating system).

How has western culture changed?


1. What are some of the ways that western culture changed in response to Enlightenment ideas? Be sure to mention the baroque, neoclassical, and classical styles.


Enlightenment ideas called for changes in different parts of the arts. It gave birth to a style called baroque, characterized by a grand, ornate design in architecture. Under the influence of the enlightenment, artists developed neoclassical, thus called because they often borrowed ideas and themes from the classical era. In music, the style changed from dramatic organ and choral music to light and elegant style of music known as classical. Some key composers during this period are Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. In literature, writers began to develop prose work, such as novels. Some key works during this period are Pamela by Richardson, and Tom Jones by Henry Fielding.

The Enlightenment Expands


  1. When and where did they rule and what were their accomplishments?


Fredrick the Great ruled Prussia from 1740 to 1786. He granted many religious freedoms, reduced censorship, and improved education. He reformed the justice system and abolished the use of torture. Joseph II ruled Austria from 1780 to 1790. He introduced legal reforms and freedom of press. He supported freedom of worship, even for Protestants, Orthodox Christians, and Jews. He also abolished serfdom and ordered that peasants get paid for their labor. However, most of his reforms were undone after his death. Catherine the Great ruled Russia from 1762 to 1796. She ordered a review of Russian laws. Catherine expanded Russia to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. She occupied Poland with the help of Prussia and Austria.

2. How did they reflect the new Enlightenment ideals?

The rulers tried to grant more rights to the individuals. All three rulers granted religious freedoms following the enlightenment ideal of putting personal rights above religious ideals. The rulers believed in an individual's ability for progress. For example, Fredrick the Great improved education, and Joseph II granted freedom of press. The rulers also abolished torture and capital punishment as they believed in an individuals welfare promoted by enlightenment thinkers.